Obituaries for March 8, 2006

March 7, 2006

Bill Melton

Services: Private

Billy Bryan Melton, 75, of Texico died Sunday, March 5, 2006, at his home.

He was born Sept. 26, 1930, in Lynn County, Texas, to Noble and Erminie Melton. He grew up in Crane, Texas, and Ozona, Texas, and was a graduate of Ozona High School. He married Sue Meinecke in 1951. They moved to Las Vegas, N.M., where he ranched with his father until 1965. He operated Melton Motor Co. from 1966 to 1977. He continued to ranch in Las Vegas, N.M., and later in Concho County, Texas, for several years.

Family members said he was a gentle and kind-hearted man who loved life and lived it to the fullest. They said he had great respect and admiration for animals, and spent many years raising and breeding horses. They said he made many friends as an avid collector of Western collectibles such as bits, spurs and saddles, and he enjoyed the outdoors, hard work and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother, Newell, and a brother-in-law, Ottis Sayes.
He is survived by his companion, Mary Ann Whitley of Texico and her daughter, Elizabeth Whitley of Beaumont, Texas; a sister, Delia Sayes of Bourbonnais, Ill.; two sons, Larry Melton of Ballinger, Texas, and Clay Melton of Texico; a daughter, Coralie Tidwell (and husband, Jimmy) of San Angelo, Texas; three grandchildren, Stormy Melton of Richland Springs, Texas, and Reid Melton and Rianne Lupardus, both of Midland, Texas.

He was born June 15, 1921, in Alamo to Diana Lorraine and Robert Jerome Arnold.

He worked on ranches around Santa Rosa for several years. He moved to Arch to find work in 1940. He married Imogene Riley on Feb. 14, 1942, in Portales. He was inducted into the Army in November 1942, and served in the Pacific as a medic until his discharge in 1945. In 1948, he moved to Arch, where he made his home the rest of his life.

For several years, he ran a garage and welding shop. In about 1964, he established the Arnold Seed Store. Since 1971 he farmed and ranched, and looked after his cattle as long as his health would permit, family members said.
He was a member of the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ.
Family members said he enjoyed fishing, hunting and restoring vehicles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Glen and Warren Arnold, and by his mother and father-in-law, Ima and Scott Riley.

He is survived by his wife; three brothers, Robert Jerome Arnold Jr. of Las Vegas, Nev., George Arnold of Hayfork, Calif., and Walter Arnold of California; a sister, Betty Hickel of Albuquerque, and a host of nieces and nephews
Peter Dahlstrom will officiate services.

Karen Marlene (Olson) Hoffmann, 59, of Ruidoso died Thursday, March 2, after a brief illness.

She was born April 8, 1946, in Palm Beach, Fla., to Richard and Dorothy Olson.

After graduating from high school in Minneapolis, she attended Stevens College for a year before marrying Henry V. Smith II, father of her two children. In 1978, she married Karl Henry Hoffmann in Clovis.

She graduated from West Texas State University in 1992 with a bachelor of science in nursing. She was director of student health at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales from 1993 to 1997. She and her late husband owned Hoffmann Aviation and Clovis Flight School. She moved to Ruidoso in 2001 and served as director of nursing for PMS Home Health and Hospice. She also held other nursing jobs.

Family members said she will be remembered for her courageous fight against brain cancer.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her father, Richard Olson; and her son, David Matthew Smith.

She is survived by her mother of Rochester, Minn.; a daughter, Rachel Smith, and a grandson, Tyler Ramage, of Ruidoso; a sister, Mari Anne Guhl (and husband, Rick) of Rochester, Minn.; two nephews, Josh and Brad of Rochester; and several cousins.

Burial will take place at 2 p.m. April 15 at Lawn Haven Cemetery in Clovis.

The family has suggested memorial donations to Mission Arch Care Center of Roswell or the Racetrack Chapel of Ruidoso Downs.

Arrangements are by Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory of Roswell.

Gloria “Sug” Knox

Services: 2 p.m. Friday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel

Gloria “Sug” Knox, 76, of Portales died Monday, March 6, 2006, at Heartland Continuing Care Center. She was born April 4, 1929, in Floydada, Texas, to Valley and Bonnie Shultz.

She graduated from Floydada High School. She was married Jack Knox on April 4, 1946, in Floydada. She worked for several years as a pharmacy technician beginning at CJ’s Pillbox and later at Roden Smith Pharmacy before retiring at the age of 65.

Family members said she enjoyed reading, embroidery, staying in touch with friends, and being involved in the lives of her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Danny Knox, who died in 1969; and by her husband, who died in 1980.

She is survived by two sons, Dwight Knox of Portales and David Knox of Troy, Mo.; a daughter, Debbie Takeuchi of Redondo Beach, Calif; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; her brother, Charles Shultz of Portales; and her sister, Sammy Rink of Stewart, Fla.

Kenneth Broad will officiate services.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary.

Lillie Holland

Services: 4 p.m. (CST) today at Resthaven Abbey Chapel in Lubbock.

Lillie Holland, 96, of Lubbuck, formerly of Roosevelt County, died Monday, March 6, 2006.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd and a daughter, Jean Demastus.

She is survived by a son, Jim Holland (and wife, Linda) of Lubbock; a brother, Dan Brown; a sister, Robbie Gregory; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.